How to Do a Rainbow in Soccer

The soccer rainbow is a flashy move that amazes the crowd and can double as an offensive tool to push the ball forward. It's a slightly tricky technique that involves using your foot to scoot the ball up your leg, then kicking it with your opposite heel so that it arcs neatly over your head. Read on to learn more about how to do a rainbow.

EditSteps

EditPracticing the Rainbow While Stationary

Put the soccer ball right between your feet, so that it's centered with the middle of your body.

1. Use your dominant foot to roll the ball up your opposite leg. If you're right handed, press the ball against your left ankle with your right foot. Raise your right foot and roll the ball up the side of your left leg. Do this quickly and with some force.
   
   
   • If you don't roll the ball up quickly and with force, it will drop back to the ground before you have time to complete the move.
2. Follow through with your foot. Once the ball rolls up to knee level, follow through with your foot so that the ball gets some air as it rolls off of your leg. You want the ball to be positioned just over your heel. So if you used your right foot to roll the ball up your left leg, guide the ball off of your leg once it reaches the knee; it should float down just behind your left heel.
   
   
3. Land on your dominant foot as you kick the ball with your heel. Now the foot you used to roll the ball should land on the ground. At the same time, use the heel of your other foot to kick the ball upward with your heel. For right-handers, that means your right foot will hit the ground as your left heel kicks the ball, arcing it over your head.
   
   
   • This process must happen very quickly in order to work properly. Practice rolling and kicking over and over until you're able to move your legs fast enough to get it right.
   • You want to strike the underside of the ball in an upward motion to get it to arc up and over your head. Practice until the ball lands right in front of your body.
   • Lean forward a bit as you land and kick. This will help the ball move in the right direction.

EditUsing the Rainbow on the Field

1. Dribble the ball fairly quickly towards a defender. You can use the rainbow to switch the direction of the ball right when a defender is trying to steal it.
   
   
2. Place your dominant foot's heel in front of the ball while leaning forward a bit. This is important because if you don't lean forward, the ball will go backwards.
   
   
3. Bring your non dominant foot behind the ball. The ball should now be positioned between your feet, ready for the rainbow technique to begin.
   
   
4. Use your dominant foot to sweep the ball up the opposite leg. Use a motion that will cause the ball to roll off the leg at the knee and drop down toward the heel.
   
   
5. Lean forward and kick the ball up with your heel. Do this as you land on your dominant foot. The ball should arc up and over the defender, and they will likely be confused about where it went, and you can run around the defender and continue moving with the ball.
   
   
6. Finished.
   
   

EditTips

• This is done while running, so don't stray too far from your natural step. It will just happen. Don't worry too much about where the ball will go. But don't run to fast or it will be difficult to roll the ball up.
• If, after a while, the ball just ends up being kicked in the air by the heel and lands behind you, try running at the ball to gain more momentum, but remember to keep the move as one motion. If you can easily get the ball to go over your head, a cool trick is to incorporate that with juggling, or if you run at the ball diagonally, you can sometimes get the ball to go over your shoulder or in a specific direction.
• The last step will take a long time to get right, the entire step should be one motion, and with practice, you will naturally do the step with ease.
• Try practicing with an air ball.
• While running ensure that your weak foot should lift and dominant should kick up . Please make safety measures and try your best.
• Try practicing the rainbow with a friend .
• If you really can't do it, practice with a balloon.

EditWarnings

• Don't do this move too many times in one game, because the other players will start to catch on to what you're doing and be able to stop it. You will also look foolish, as rainbows are just for being able to be a good player - they are hardly ever used in games.
• Some better defenders will know what you are doing as soon as they see your feet. Make the move quick enough so that they don't beat you to the ball. Jog while doing the trick
• As soon as you heel the ball, make sure to keep running so you keep on your feet; sometimes you can stumble and land on your face which isn't all that impressive.
• Do not try to do the trick standing still; it is much easier if you run at the ball and try to get it over your head. But if you get good you can stand still and still do it.

EditThings You'll Need

• Soccer Ball
• Some Open Space
• Running Shoes or Soccer cleats.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Narrow the Angle in Soccer
• Do a Throw in Soccer
• Improve Your Game in Soccer
• Dive in Soccer
• Head a Soccer Goal
• Balance a Soccer Ball on Your Foot
• Seal Dribble
• Perform a TAATW
• Perform a Rai Flick
• Dribble and Create Space in Soccer

[[fr:faire un arc en ciel (football)]